The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-23
MORNING NEWS LIBRARY NO. 2s
OF RICHMOND
BY WALTER NJ. RICHMOND.
Copyrighted, 1887, by II. EStiU.
CHAPTER V.-CoYTtNuED.

Florine had thought he was like the brain
less youths with whom she daily associated,
and had naturally expected him to favor
her and Pauline with some foolish, senti-
mental music. But she was disappointed.
A look of intense disgust clouded her beau
tiful face, and before Virgil had rendered
one stanza of the hymn, she curled her lips,
elevated her nose. and haughtily swept from
the room, slamming the door behind her.
But Pauline did not stir from the youths
side In his presence she felt a peculiar
charm, which she had never experienced in
the society of the gay, fashionable youths
of the city. To her Virgils voice was
strangely sweet-his manner gentle and re
fined His face was mirror in which she
saw reflected pure, lofty soul. She felt he
was no ordinary boy. As ''far as the heav-
ems are above the earth, so far did the in
fatuated girl exalt our hero above other
youths.
Florine's conduct mortified her as deeply
as it did Virgil, and when he paused at the
close of the first stanZa of the hymn, hurt
by Florine's rudeness, Pauline blurted out,
scarcely knowing what she said in her in
dignatlon:
"Don't mind her, Mr.. Paine! Don't mind
her-the rude, hateful thing! If her shall
low nature cannot appreciate sweet, sacred
music, good breeding at least should have
compelled her to remain in the room until
you had finished the hymn"
Don't Judge her too harshly Miss Nor
riss,n said Virgil, who was ever ready TO
make excuses for anothers shortcomings.
"Remember, she is only a child-a bright,
happy child. Her life thus far has been one
of unalloyed happiness, and it naturally
IL, "A - hat
should be sad in a world that holds so much
beauty and promise for her. | ought not to
have been SO selfish. | ought to have played
and sang something of a joyous character,
despite my own feelings. But, Miss Nor
riss, how can one render such music when
his heart is not in accord with the senti-
mentw
He raised his eloquent brown eyes to the
girl, whose young heart went out to him i'll
the tenderest sympathy Oh, that she could
do something to tighten the cross that was
weighing SO heavily upon his young spirit!
Oh, that she could take some OF the sun
light from over her own way and direct il
10 shine upon his dark path! She regarded
him for moment IN silence, and then, in a
matter-of-fact way, said:
Il wish it were in my power, MIR. Paine,
to help you in your trouble. You are toe
young-entirely too young-to be oppressed
with sorrow" -N
There was something in the earnest, sym
pathetic voice that touched the boys heart
something in the sweet, lovely face that
banished restraint and inspired confidence
and, ignoring the fact that they hal never
met until the day before. he poured into hei
sympathetic ear his tale of sorrow. Briefly
he told her of his fathers tragic death, OF
the fanlily's gradual descent from atiiuence
to poverty, of their removal to Richmond,
end of his fruitless eadeavors to obtain
employment
During the latter part Of the recital OF
his misfortunes Pauline's face lighted up
with a sudden glow, and, clapping her little
hands together in girlish delight, she ex-
claimed:
oh, am so glad that you have told me
am so glad that can be of service to you
Cheer up, Mr.. Paine! You shall have a sit
uation before the sun goes down-indeeo
you shall! l heard papa say at breakfast
that he was going to advertise in to-mor
sow's paper for a clerk, as Mr. Crump, one
or his clerks, proposed to enter into part
nership with another gentleman to-day"
Miss NORRIS. yo'. =. so kind-so-"
Here the boy stopped. He could say nc
more. Her disintelested kindness so affect
ed him that his eyes filled with tears. He
simply extended his hand in token of hi:
gratitude.
"Wait here until can get my cloak ano
hat, and I'll accompany you to the office,
she said. ''You might get lost if you were
to go alone, as you are rustic lad she
said, smilingly'
And with mischievous twinkle of hel
blue eyes that reminded Virgil of Charlie
she danced gaily out of the room.
What a noble-hearted girl she lsW unused
the boy. How different she is from Char
he's sister, and et-yet-despite the lat
ter's rudeness, there is something fasclnat
ing about Miss Florine."
While he was musing thus, Pauline
equipped for her walk, re-entered the room
drawing on her gloves.
Come, Mr.. Paine" she said II am
ready"
The youth joined her, and the two wend
ed their way down Franklin street, chatting
as familiarity as if they had been brought
up together
Half an hours walk through the crlsl
january air brought them to Mr.. MOTIFS
factories, which were situated IN the tobacco
centre of the city. Pauline and her com
panion were compelled to pass through th'
clerks department. to reach Mr.. MorrlsS
Banctum, and it was amusing to note thu
curiosity with which the clerks regardcC
Virgil as he entered the office in company
with the pretty daughter Of their EN-
pioyer
Good morning, gentlemen" said tn.
girl. "Mr. Price, is papa in MS office!
turning to one of the clerical force.
YES, Miss Pauline" replied the young
gentleman, leaping from his stool an'
opening the door leading into Mr.. Norris
apartment
THANK you, SIR" returned the girl
Come, Mr. Paine"
Virgil followed.
The wealthy tobacconist, still suffering
from his recent attack Of rheumatism, re
ciined languidly upon sofa near the door
How are you now, papa| asked NJ
daughter, kindly.
II am very facilitated, my dear, replies
Mr.. MoITiss, rising from his lounging attl
tude. How are you, my sou"